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Good shade if no wind is likely.

I try not to be a pessimist and maybe it's just me but it took all my strength to pull the corners far enough to get the poles into the rivet holes. And then the profile was high enough that any breeze would tip it over at the beach. We took it to an outdoor music festival and it was overkill, way too tall even for the perimeter. However, when used in the mountains among trees with no wind it made for a great kitchen cover/hang out area from the rain and the sun.

I am going to keep trying, perhaps my review will change once I have a few more successful uses.

Sherry A.

review on September 7, 2017

Good Portable Shelter

Familiarity: I've used it several times

Can be difficult to put together, but really gives you the break from the shade that you need! The 1 movable wall is great so that you don't have to turn the tent to block the moving sun. As others said below, make sure you secure it down on those windy days - definitely has the potential to fly away!

Collin Doherty

review on August 29, 2017

String poles come apart during setup

Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

I decided to return this item because the poles repeatedly came apart in the sleeves during setup. This shelter has the old-style loooong sleeves through which the poles must be threaded, and during both setup and breakdown the poles came apart. It's nearly impossible to re-attach the poles once they're inside the sleeves, and it's also difficult to remove a pole from the sleeve once it has come apart. If it weren't for that problem the setup would have been straightforward and easy. I just decided that I'm not willing to kneel in the hot sun trying to reattach each of the 3 poles several times after they come apart during setup AND takedown. The pole sections slip apart very easily - perhaps they need to make this with tighter fittings on the pole sections?

Meredith R.

review on July 18, 2017

Kinda huge

Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

This was way bigger than expected, even though I had looked at the pictures others had submitted. This definitely takes 2 people to set up. It does what is advertised, and seems durable, I just think it is better suited to camping or beach days, when I had hoped to use it for summer concerts. It's just too large to bring to a crowded lawn.

Nick S

review on June 24, 2017

Perfect coverage for three people

Wow, what an excellent piece of gear. I set this up in the deep sand of Gulf Shores (used 3 Kelty sand bag stakes). No problems. It flexes with the wind and maintains a firm position. Fairly light and easy to re-pack. No trouble bringing it far down the beach on the Burley Travoy....very happy!

Jeff D.

review on June 1, 2017

Okay for calm weather

Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

The design is aesthetically appealing and provides adequate shade. It doesn't hold up too well in high winds though (upwards of 12 mph), the Grey pole has already splintered. It's not snapped though, so I'm hoping I can reinforce it and keep it functional.

Holly H.

review on September 27, 2016

Make sure you guy it out!

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I used this shelter over Labor Day weekend for camping in a field at Phish shows. Overall I like the shape and size and it packs up much smaller than most Ez-up shade tents. Set-up was very easy and it comes with an extra wall to help keep the sun off. It also included all the stakes and guy lines needed for proper set-up. My only complaint is that this thing really wants to fly if there is any significant wind. If you do not guy out all three points you will watch in horror as it collapses. So, great on space and shade, but if you are expecting weather and won't be around I would take it down or look at other options.

Benjamin Goforth

review on June 17, 2016

Perfect tool for the job

Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

I love this awning, it is perfect for getting giving some shade or cover from rain without having to set up some great big heavy pop-up style. This is just what I have been looking for. Took about 6 mins to set up alone the first time, it has an adjustable footprint option so it can be tall and less cover or wider but short. I used it camping in a fairly windy area right on Lake Superior and had no issues when it was guy lined out properly, was very pleased.

Keith G.

review on May 9, 2016

We gave it our best shot

Familiarity: I've used it several times

Just got back from a weekend camping/mtn biking trip in central Virginia. It was the third trip we've taken the Tri-Awning on, and the second time one of the poles has broken from a moderate gust of wind catching it. Alps was great about replacing the first pole that broke last year, but to seek replacement poles after every trip is obviously not sustainable. We are experienced campers. This does not hold up well in moderate wind, like you might find at Atlantic beaches, where the pole broke the first time. We also invested a lot in large stakes for sand, which is necessary if you plan on taking this to the beach. While the triangular set up looks cool, it actually does not create a very large footprint of shade compared to a conventional pop-up or rectangular shelter. It does have the benefit of being very light. You will probably not be able to set this up by yourself on a slightly windy day. It's good for rain. You may be able to make this work for conditions where you can stake it in soil, and there is no wind, and there aren't major consequences if it collapses, like at a music festival. Otherwise, I recommend investing in something simpler and stronger. I'm looking for recommendations on that front myself, as we have given up on the Alps Tri-Awning and will not be taking this on the beach trip planned for later this month.

daniel.tes535863

review on May 4, 2016

Horrible Set-Up

Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

As "they" say, people are usually more motivated to write reviews of negative experiences than positive ones. So, here goes . . .

I'm a strong dude, not an Olympic power lifter, but I can do a lot of dead arm pull ups and setting this thing up was a pain in the ass.

First, it came with no instructions. I'm still trying to figure out how the sun shade attaches. I'm sure this is all easy after doing it a time or two. But out of the box set up instructions are helpful, which is why instructions are typically included with a product that requires some assembly.

Second, the effort required to stretch the fabric so the poles reach the holes at the corners is absurd. No way could my mom or my girlfriend do it. And I had to curse a couple times to coax the fabric to reach.

Okay, I'm done venting now. I'll update the review after I've used the product, if I don't return in out of principle.

Erik K.

Unanswered Questionquestion on March 9, 2016

Wanting to buy aluminum poles for this, how long is each pole? And if anyone knows where to get poles, that would be helpful!!

Dirk Davis

review on January 12, 2015

Great for a warm, non-windy day.

Familiarity: I've used it several times

The idea of having three points of contact is good in theory, but it doesn't take much wind for this thing to start flailing. That being said it's a good price and nice for a bit of coverage out of the sun. A good summer day cover that packs up small. Just be weary if inclement weather is a possibility.

Amy Randall

Unanswered Questionquestion on November 2, 2014

Does this awning include the "Sunshield" Side Fabric Panel for Extra Protection? The alps mountaineering website says it comes with one but it is not mentioned above?

Chris B.

review on July 18, 2013

Cheap, good, easy to use

Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Bought for car camping - just a good awning for extra cover. Pretty handy for lots of things - ie get out of rain at kids sports and so on. Nice and small when packed

Robert J.

review on July 16, 2013

Great shelter: easy setup, packs small

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I've had mine for 7+ years and it's still going strong. It packs up smaller than a folding chair, but will provide ample shade against rain or sun. I like the adjustable design; you can pull it wide to give more coverage (which makes the height lower), or you can push the radius tighter to give more headroom. Add this to your camping kit, you'll be glad you did.

Dave Gibson

review on April 18, 2013

Great Cover!

I have used this cover at the beach and an Scouting Events. The set up is easy when the wind isn't blowing too hard. If it is windy, you will need help.

Alfonso H. Ornelas, Jr.

review on June 15, 2012

fancy,handy!

this is a pretty cool little set up, packs fairly small so it is great for car camping or its handy and easy to set up so its worth just keeping around. i was recently in a wind/snow storm in the city of rocks and i set this up quickly and it provided great shelter and for 2 people it was roomy. i was surprised at the coverage and it is easy to raise up and accomadate surroundings, i.e. trees and campfires.